Fatoumata Diawara (image by Aida Muluneh)
In an exclusive English festival appearance, influential singer-songwriter and humanitarian Yusuf/Cat Stevens is making his Cambridge debut. From his early career in the 1960s to his more recent cultural presence in the 2000s, Yusuf/Cat Stevens is set to be one of the most eagerly awaited stars to grace the Cambridge Folk Festival stage. Passenger is returning to headline this year in what will be his third appearance at the festival, taking to the main stage with hits including Let Her Go, the song that catapulted him to international stardom.
Seasick Steve is appearing for the first time since 2010, bringing his unique blend of blues, roots and country music to Cambridge, while Suzanne Vega is also taking to the stage, performing a selection of songs from across her 35-year career. Her live album, An Evening of New York Songs and Stories, celebrates her catalogue of hits, and is out this spring.
A veritable force in British folk music, Show of Hands will be joined by Miranda Sykes and percussionist Cormac Byrne. Lankum bring their dramatic storytelling and instrumental interplay to the stage, combining their traditional folk roots with more contemporary undercurrents.
Martha Wainwright – of the famous Wainwright dynasty – performs an array of powerful songs and shows that she is a force to be reckoned with, while multiple-Grammy Award nominee Fatoumata Diawara promises a memorable show. The Malian singer-songwriter is one of the crown jewels of modern African music, with her boldly experimental yet respectful style gaining her worldwide acclaim.
The festival is running from 30 July to 2 August at Cherry Hinton Hall with day and weekend tickets available.
cambridgefolkfestival.co.uk.
